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William Ingersoll Bowditch House

The site being nominated is a single-family house located at 9 Toxteth Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. It was built in 1844-45 as part of an early suburban development of Thomas Aspinwall Davis, a one-time mayor of Boston. The house was bought by William Ingersoll Bowditch who became a leading abolitionist in the Boston anti-slavery movement. Number 9 Toxteth was the site of local abolitionist meetings as well as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Freedom seekers and the son of John Brown were secreted here on their way to freedom. Bowditch helped form the Boston Vigilance Committee on October 15, 1850. Bowditch, along with his friend Philbrick, was the most avid abolitionist in Brookline. Neither voted, except for the town offices, not agreeing with the Constitution. Bowditch, unable to support the Constitution, resigned his office of United States Commissioner. Mr. Bowditch also hosted the Smith Colored School of Boston at his Toxteth house.